The Struggles No One Talks About: 7 Things Christians Secretly Battle

By Whitney Ramos

A young woman gazes thoughtfully out a rainy window. The image has a soft, reflective tone with a marble-textured background and natural light. — When faith feels quiet and the struggle is unseen—God still sees you.

You can love Jesus and still battle thoughts that try to pull you under. You can serve in ministry, lead a Bible study, post Scriptures, and still go home feeling spiritually dry.

Let’s be honest: most Christians are struggling with something, but not enough of us are talking about it.

Today, we’re going there. I’ve struggled with many of these myself, and I can testify—these are real battles that often go unspoken in the church. But silence doesn’t mean freedom. Real freedom begins with real truth, and if you’re reading this, I believe God is already meeting you right where you are.

1. Feeling Far From God

(Even When You're giving Your Best)

A young woman with light skin sits quietly by a window, looking outside with a reflective and distant expression. Soft natural light highlights her face, creating a peaceful yet contemplative mood. — Sometimes we feel far from God—even when we’re doing our best. But distance doesn’t mean disconnection. He’s closer than you think.

You’re doing all the things—reading your Bible, going to church, praying, and trying to stay faithful. But something still feels off. You don’t feel Him like you used to. You wonder if He’s pulled away—or if maybe, somehow, you’ve messed up.

Let me reassure you: God hasn’t left you. He doesn’t ghost His children. But He does grow us through silence.

There are moments in your walk where He’s not trying to distance Himself from you—He’s trying to deepen your dependence on Him. And sometimes that means pulling you out of surface-level feelings into a place of trust you’ve never had to walk in before.

Even David said,

“My soul thirsts for You... my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water”(Psalm 63:1 NKJV).

He wasn’t out of God’s will—he was just in the middle of a wilderness that still required worship.

So, what do you do when you feel far from God?

Just talk to Him. Not a performance. Not a speech. Just honesty.
Tell Him what you're feeling—that you miss Him, that you feel numb. He can handle that.
Stop trying to “feel” your way into faith. Start walking like He’s right there—because He is.
Invite Him into your everyday moments. He’s not waiting for perfection—He’s waiting for permission.

This season isn’t meant to break you. It’s meant to build your roots. Even when He’s quiet, He’s still with you.

2. Secretly Battling Anxiety and Mental Warfare

A young woman sits in a dimly lit room with her hand on her forehead, eyes closed as if deep in thought or overwhelmed. The mood is quiet and reflective, capturing the weight of internal struggle and mental pressure. — Anxiety isn’t always obvious. It can hide behind calm faces and quiet routines. But the mind can be a battlefield—and God is near, even in the thoughts we never say out aloud.

Let’s call it what it is: anxiety, overthinking, dread, racing thoughts—it’s real. And it doesn’t make you less saved. It doesn’t mean you’ve failed God.

It means you’re in a battle.

Even the most anointed people in the Bible had mental and emotional warfare.

Elijah wanted to give up and die.
David wept and groaned.
Paul admitted feeling pressure on every side.

But none of that disqualified them—and it doesn’t disqualify you either.

“Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”—1 Peter 5:7 NKJV

How to fight anxiety with faith:

Speak the Word out loud. Fear doesn’t respond to your feelings—it responds to truth.
Take authority in Jesus’ name. Remind your soul who's in charge.
Make space for peace. That might mean fasting from noise, media, or even toxic people.
Pray even when it’s messy. God hears the scattered prayers too.

3. Struggling with Doubt and Quiet Questions

A young woman with long brown hair sits quietly, looking to the side with a thoughtful and slightly uncertain expression. The image conveys introspection and gentle doubt. — Doubt doesn’t mean you don’t believe—it just means you’re still searching. Quiet questions don’t scare God. He meets us in the wondering, too.

What if I’m not really saved?

What if God isn’t going to come through this time?

What if I’ve missed my purpose?

We all have questions. Doubt isn’t the opposite of faith—it’s part of walking it out.

After preparing the way for Jesus, even John the Baptist sent word asking, “Are You the One?” (Luke 7:19). Doubt didn’t stop Jesus from honoring him.

When questions come:

Ask God. He’s not intimidated by your uncertainty.
Stay in community and fellowship—don’t isolate.
Dig deeper into Scripture, not just surface reading. God often answers through His Word.

4. Falling Into the Same Sin Again and Again

A person sits alone with their head bowed and hands clasped, in a quiet, dimly lit space. The posture reflects remorse, reflection, or emotional heaviness, creating a mood of repentance or inner struggle. — When you’ve fallen again… and again… It’s easy to feel like God is tired of forgiving you. But He’s not. Grace doesn’t give up—and neither does He.

You’re sincere. You’ve repented. You want to change. But the cycle keeps repeating.

Listen to me: this isn’t the end of your story.

God sees your fight. And while He calls you to obedience, He also walks with you through the wrestle. Sanctification isn’t an instant switch—it’s a refining process.

To break the cycle:

Get honest about your triggers. Set up spiritual and physical boundaries.
Replace the behavior with healthy, Spirit-filled habits.
Confess to someone you trust. Accountability brings light.
Receive God’s forgiveness fully—shame will try to keep you stuck, but grace moves you forward.

5. Comparing Yourself to Other Christians

A young woman sits alone in a bright room with natural light, looking down with a quiet expression. Her body language suggests self-reflection or comparison, creating a tone of introspective struggle. — Comparison is a thief that whispers, “You’re not enough.” But God never asked you to be like anyone else—He called you to be faithful with what He gave *you.* Stay focused. Stay surrendered. Your walk with Him is personal.

She looks so happy. She prays more. She’s probably never struggled the way I do.

Comparison is subtle, but it’s deadly. It shifts your focus off God and onto other people’s highlight reels. And it’ll make you miss the beauty of your own testimony.

“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…”—Hebrews 12:1 NKJV

To overcome comparison:

Practice gratitude out loud—daily.
Fast from social media if it’s fueling insecurity.
Ask God to give you eyes for your assignment, not hers.

6. Inconsistency in Prayer and Devotion

A young woman sits on a couch with a journal and Bible nearby. She looks off thoughtfully, with her hands resting on her lap. The scene suggests a pause or struggle with spiritual discipline in a calm, quiet moment. — Some days you’re on fire. Other days, you forget to pray at all. But God doesn’t measure love by performance—He meets you in the trying, in the returning, and in the quiet desire to begin again.

You want to be disciplined. You start strong, then miss a day… and feel like a failure. Then it becomes a week. Then shame kicks in.

Friend, God is not counting how many days you missed. He’s simply waiting to meet with you again.

Start fresh. Start small. But just start again.

To build consistency:

Set realistic goals—5 minutes is still a seed.
Create a space, even if it’s just a corner. Make it your “meeting place” with God.
Don’t wait to feel motivated. Discipline leads, emotions follow.

7. Feeling Unqualified for Your Calling

A young woman sits near a window with a thoughtful, slightly uncertain expression. She clasps her hands in front of her and looks to the side. — You don’t have to feel qualified—just called. God often uses the least likely for the most lasting impact. He’s not looking for perfect, just willing.

Maybe you’ve heard the call of God, but you’ve convinced yourself someone else is more equipped. More eloquent. More holy. More confident. But the truth is—God called you on purpose.

He doesn’t make mistakes. And the very thing you feel insecure about may be the thing He wants to use for His glory.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”—2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

To walk boldly in your calling:

Say yes, even if scared. You don’t have to feel ready—you just have to be willing.
Let your dependence on God become your superpower.
Stay humble. Let Him lead. And trust that what He starts, He will finish.

A Personal Note from Me

There was a time I didn’t think I could get out of the cycle I was in. I would try so hard to be “better,” to prove myself to God, to be the woman I thought I was supposed to be—and I’d still fall short.

I’d cry. I’d hide. I’d feel disqualified all over again.

But then God began to show me something I’d only heard about on the surface—grace. Not the kind that lets you stay stuck, but the kind that lifts you back up and gives you strength to keep going.

He didn’t shame me—He taught me. He didn’t condemn me—He walked with me. And I realized I was never fighting alone. I just wasn’t fighting with Him the way I could have been.

So if that’s where you are, please know this: Grace is not a crutch. It’s your way out. And God still wants you. Right now. Even in your weakness.

💬 Let’s Reflect:

Which of these struggles hit home for you?

Which one have you been carrying in silence?

You’re not the only one. You’re not weak. And you’re not behind. You are where God can meet, strengthen, and grow you.

📖 Scriptures to Meditate On This Week:

Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart...”
Romans 8:1 – “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.”
2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear…”
Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you…”

📌 Want More Like This?

If this post spoke to your heart, there’s more coming. Follow along at whitneyramos.com or on Pinterest @whitneyramoswrites for more truth-based encouragement, real conversations, and resources that help you grow stronger in your walk with Jesus.

You don’t have to hide your struggle to be used by God. You just have to surrender it. In His Grace,